Cup With Repositionable Handles

ABSTRACT

An infant cup includes a container, and at least one handle with a first distal end, a second distal end, and a gripping portion. The distal ends of the at least one handle are coupled to the container, and the handle is repositionable between a deployed position and a stored position. When the handle is configured to the stored position, the gripping portion of the handle is positioned proximate to the container. When the handle is configured to the deployed position, the gripping portion is positioned away from container. In addition, the infant cup may include a second handle that also contains a deployed position and a stored position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/699,025, entitled “Cup withRepositionable Handles”, filed Sep. 10, 2012, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant beverage container. Morespecifically, the present invention is an infant's cup that includes atleast one handle that is repositionable between a deployed and a storedposition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of beverage containers exist for growing children. Somebeverage containers include handles, while others do not. The beveragecontainers that include handles allow parents and children to easilyhold and carry the beverage containers. Beverage containers with handlesaid in the development of hand eye coordination and motor skills ofchildren. However, beverage containers without handles are more easilystored in cabinets and drawers, along with cup holders located in carsand on the trays of infant receiving devices (high chairs, strollers,boosters, etc.). Conversely, the beverage containers without handles arenot as easily grasped by infants and children because the containers aregenerally too large to be grasped by an infant's small hands. Moreover,a parent trying to carry multiple beverage containers has a harder timecarrying beverage containers without handles. Finally, beveragecontainers without handles do not aid in the development of the child'smotor skills because they are generally larger than what can be easilygrasped by an infant's small hands.

Therefore, what is needed is a beverage container that includes handlesthat are configurable between a deployed position, where the handles areconfigured to hold and use the beverage container, and a storedposition, where the handles cannot be gripped and the beverage containeris easily stored in a cup holder or cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aninfant's cup includes a container and at least one handle with a firstdistal end, a second distal end, and a gripping portion. Furthermore,the handle is attached to the container by the distal ends of the atleast one handle being co-molded onto the container. Moreover, thehandle is repositionable in a first position where an aperture/openingis formed between the gripping portion and the container enabling a userto grab the handle and the container and a second position where thegripping portion rests against the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of two embodiments of an infantcup according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an infantcup according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 a illustrates an exploded view the embodiment of the infant cupillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiment of theinfant cup illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates one step of the molding process of the embodiment ofan infant cup illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 a illustrates another step in the molding process of theembodiment of an infant cup illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 b illustrates the handles of the embodiment of an infant cupillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 c illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiment of theinfant cup illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of aninfant cup according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the infantcup illustrated in FIG. 5 with the handles removed.

FIG. 5 b illustrates a perspective view of one of the handles of theinfant cup illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 c illustrates a cross sectional view of the embodiment of theinfant cup illustrated in FIG. 5.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elementsthroughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of two embodiments of the infantcup 10 are illustrated. The infant cup 10 includes a container 100, alid 500, a first handle 300, and a second handle 400. In otherembodiments, the infant cup 10 may have more or less than two handles.The lid 500 may include a sippy spout 510, as illustrated by infant cup10 on the left of FIG. 1. In addition, the lid 500 may include a straw520, as illustrated by the infant cup 10 on the right of FIG. 1.

Continuing with FIG. 1, according to the present embodiment, thecontainer 100 is generally of a cylindrical hourglass shape and has abase 140. The container 100 includes a first side 110 and a second side120. The first and second sides 110, 120 are a concave portion of thebody of the container 100. The first side 110 includes a first handlereceiving area 112, and the second side 120 includes a second handlereceiving area 122. Additionally, the first handle 300 and the secondhandle 400 are repositionable between two configurations with respect tothe container 100. Both handles 300, 400 have a stored position B, wherethe handles 300, 400 rest flush against the container 100, asillustrated to the left of FIG. 1. When the handles 300, 400 are in thestored position B, the first handle 300 rests within the first handlereceiving area 112 on the first side 110 of the container 100, and thesecond handle 400 rests within the second handle receiving area 122 onthe second side 120 of the container 100. Furthermore, both handles 300,400 have a deployed position A, where the handles 300, 400 projectoutward from the container 100, as illustrated to the right of FIG. 1.In the deployed position A, the handles 300, 400 create an aperturebetween the handles 300, 400 and the first and second sides 110, 120, ofcontainer 100, allowing a user to grasp the handles 300, 400.

The container 100 of the infant cup 10 is constructed from a hard andrigid material, such as polypropylene or other similar material. Thisallows the container 100 to keep its rigid shape and be durable for useby an infant or toddler. Conversely, the handles 300, 400 areconstructed from a soft, grippable, and flexible material such as athermoplastic elastomer or other similar material. This allows thehandles 300, 400 to be reshapeable, bending from the deployed position Ato the stored position B, and vice versa. In addition, the handles 300,400 being constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer provides thehandles 300, 400 with a softer, more grippable touch than that of thecontainer 100 constructed from a material such as polypropylene. Thegrippier material of the handles 300, 400 allows the outside of thehandles 300, 400 to provide a grippable surface along the container 100when the handles 300, 400 are in the stored position B. Additionally,the grippier material of the handles 300, 400 enables a user tocomfortably grab and hold onto the handles 300, 400 when the handles300, 400 are in the deployed position A.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is an embodiment of the infant cup 10that differs slightly from the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1. Asstated previously, the infant cup 10 includes a container 100. In boththis embodiment and the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, the container100 contains a rim 130, threads 132, and an edge 150. These featuresenable a lid 500 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to be screwed onto the top ofthe container 100, enclosing any contents within the container 100. Thecontainer 100 includes an edge 150 located near the top of the container100. Furthermore, extending vertically from the edge 150 is a rim 130that includes the threads 132. The embodiment of the infant cup 10illustrated in FIG. 2 also differs from the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 1 in that the container 100 has an overmold material 200 overmoldedonto the container 100. The overmold material 200 is constructed from athermoplastic elastomer or similar type of material. The overmoldmaterial 200 includes a lower portion 220 and an upper portion 210. Thelower portion 220 of the overmold material 200 is overmolded onto thebase 140 of the container 100. Furthermore, the upper portion 210 of theovermold material 200 is overmolded onto the container 100 proximate tothe edge 150 of the container 100.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 a, the upper portion 210 and the lowerportion 220 of the overmold material 200 include a first connection 230and a second connection 240. The first and second connection 230, 240are also constructed from a thermoplastic elastomer. Accordingly, theupper portion 210, lower portion 220, and first and second connections230, 240 may be formed as one continuous member of thermoplasticmaterial. In addition, the first connection 230 extends from the upperportion 210 to the lower portion 220 of the overmold material 200proximate to the first side 110 of the container 100. Similarly, thesecond connection 240 extends from the upper portion 210 to the lowerportion 220 of the overmold material 200 proximate to the second side120 of the container 100. The handles 300, 400 are attached to theinfant cup 10 by being overmolded onto the first and second connections230, 240. The first handle 300 includes an upper distal end 310 and alower distal end 320. The first handle 300 is overmolded onto the firstconnection 230, and thus, the upper distal end 310 of the handle 300 isattached to the upper portion 210 of the overmolded material 200 and thelower distal end 320 of the handle 300 is attached to the lower portion220 of the overmolded material 200. Moveover, the second handle 400includes an upper distal end 410 and a lower distal end 420. The secondhandle 400 is overmolded onto the second connection 240, and thus, theupper distal end 410 of the handle 400 is coupled to the upper portion210 of the overmolded material 200 and the lower distal end 420 of thehandle 400 is attached to the lower portion 220 of the overmoldedmaterial 200. Note that the linear length of handles 300 and 400 isslightly longer (up to ½ an inch) than the linear length of the handleattachment points on the overmolded material 200. Thus, the handle'slength is greater that the distance between the handle's attachmentpoint to the cup. This mounting position, the length of the handles, andthe soft and pliable nature of the handle material places the handles ina constant state of flexure and allows the handles to flex inward andoutward and pop from the deployed position A to the stored position Band vice versa.

In addition, FIG. 2 a illustrates the manufacturing technique used tomanufacture the embodiment of the infant cup 10 illustrated in FIG. 2.Firstly, the container 100 may be created through injection or blowmolding. As stated earlier, the container 100 may be constructed from ahard rigid material such as polypropylene. Secondly, once the container100 has formed, the container 100 can be placed into another mold tomold ribs and rings along the base 140 and below the edge 150 of thecontainer 100. Thirdly, the overmolded material 200 is overmolded ontothe container 100, the ribs and rings along the base 140 and below theedge 150 of the container 100 (molded on during the second step) enablethe overmolded material 200 to be coupled to the container 100. Finally,the first and second handles 300, 400 are overmolded onto the first andsecond connections 230, 240, as explained above.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross section of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 2 a is illustrated. As illustrated, the upper distal ends310, 410 of the handles 300, 400 are attached to the upper portion 210of the overmolded material 200 or the container 100. Similarly, thelower distal ends 320, 420 of the handles 300, 400 are attached to thelower portion 220 of the overmolded material 200 or the container 100.When the infant cup 10 is constructed in the manner described for thisembodiment, the interior chamber 160 of the container 100 remains smoothand continuous, as illustrated in FIG. 3. As explained later, thisdiffers from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 4 a, 4 b, 4 c.

Referring to FIG. 4, 4 a, 4 b, illustrated are steps of themanufacturing process for manufacturing the embodiment of the infant cup10 illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4 a, the handles 300,400 are injection molded in a first handle mold 620 and a second handlemold 630. As illustrated in FIG. 4 b, the first handle 300 is injectionmolded in the first handle mold 620. As illustrated in FIG. 4 a, thefirst handle mold 620 includes first closure 622 and second closure 624.The first closure 622 and the second closure 624 are mirrored molds ofeach other, each closure 622, 624 forming half of the mold used to formfirst handle 300. Similarly, the second handle mold 630 includes a firstclosure 632 and a second closure 634, the two closures 632, 634 beingmirrored molds of each other. Further, the first closure 632 and thesecond closure 634 of the second handle mold 630 each are used to formhalf of the second handle 400.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 b, the first handle 300 includes tabs 312, 322disposed on the upper distal end 310 and lower distal end 320 on thehandle 300. Furthermore, the second handle 400 includes tabs 412, 422disposed on the upper distal end 410 and lower distal end 420 of thehandle 400. Once the handles 300, 400 are formed with the tabs 312, 322,412, 422, the handle molds 620, 630 with the handles 300, 400 moldedinside, are placed in the cup mold 410 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Wheninserted into the cup mold 610, the tabs 312, 322, 412, 422 are exposed.The cup mold 610 includes a first cup closure 612, a second cup closure614, and base 616. The first and second cup closures 612, 614 areconfigured to receive the first handle mold 620 and second handle mold630 and injection mold a container 100 around the tabs 312, 322, 412,422 of the handles 300, 400. As illustrated by FIG. 4, once thecontainer 100 has been injection molded, the first cup closure 612 andthe second cup closure 614 are pulled away, revealing the container 100with first and second handle molds 620, 630 appearing to be coupled tothe container 100. Furthermore, the container 100 is disposed on thebase 616 of the cup mold 610.

As illustrated by FIG. 4 a, the next step includes separating the firstand second handle molds 620, 630 from the container 100 and handles 300,400. The first closure 622 and second closure 624 of the first handlemold 620 are pulled apart from one another revealing a first handle 300attached to the container 100. The first closure 632 and second closure634 of the second handle mold 630 are then pulled apart from one anotherrevealing a second handle 400 attached to the container 100 at aposition opposite to that of the first handle 300.

When an infant cup 10 is molded according to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1, 4, 4 a, 4 b, and 4 c, the handles 300, 400 are attached to thecontainer 100 as shown in FIG. 4 c. The cross sectional view of FIG. 4 cillustrates that the tabs 312, 322, 412, 422 of handles 300, 400 aremolded within the sidewall of the container 100. Unlike the crosssections illustrated in FIG. 3, where the interior chamber 160 of thecontainer 100 remains smooth and continuous, the interior chamber 160 ofthe container 100 illustrated in FIG. 4 c contains protrusions frommolding the sidewall of the container around the tabs 312, 322, 412, 422of the handles 300, 400.

Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated is yet another embodiment of the infantcup 10 that differs from the previous embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.Similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the infant cup 10includes a container 100 that has an hourglass shape. The container 100includes a rim 130, threads 132, and an edge 150. These features enablea lid 500 (illustrated in FIG. 1) to be screwed onto the top of thecontainer 100, enclosing any contents within the container 100. The edge150 is located near the top of the container 100. Extending verticallyfrom the edge 150 is a rim 130 that includes threads 132. When the lid500 is placed on the container 100, the lid 500 is screwed onto the topof the container 100 so that the lid 500 engages the threads 132.Furthermore, when attached to the container 100, the bottom of the lid500 is configured to rest against the edge 150.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, this embodiment of the infant cup 10 includesa first side 110 and a second side 120. Similar to the previousembodiments, the first and second sides 110, 120 are a concave portionof the body of the container 100, giving the container 100 its hourglassshape. The first side 110 includes a first handle receiving area 112,and the second side 120 includes a second handle receiving area 122.Additionally, repositionably attached to the sides 110, 120 of thecontainer 100 are a first handle 300 and a second handle 400. The firsthandle 300 and the second handle 400 are repositionable between twoconfigurations with respect to the container 100, a stored position B,where the handles 300, 400 rest flush against the container 100, and adeployed position A, where the handles 300, 400 project outward from thecontainer 100. The handles are illustrated in the deployed position A inFIG. 5.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 differs from the previousembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the connection of thehandles 300, 400 to the container 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5 a, thecontainer 100 includes an upper receiving region 114 and a lowerreceiving region 116 on the first side 110. Identical to the first side110, the second side 120 includes an upper receiving region 124 and alower receiving region 126 (illustrated in FIG. 5C). On the first side110, the upper and lower receiving regions 114, 116 are aligned with thehandle receiving area 112. The upper receiving region 114 is positionedat the top of the handle receiving area 112, while the lower receivingregion 116 is positioned at the bottom of the handle receiving area 112.Similarly, on the second side 120, the upper and lower receiving regions124, 126 are aligned with the handle receiving area 122. The upperreceiving region 124 is positioned at the top of the handle receivingarea 122, while the lower receiving region 126 is positioned at thebottom of the handle receiving area 122. The receiving regions 114, 116,124, 126 are formed on the outer surface of the container 100.Illustrated in FIG. 5 b is a first handle 300, which includes an upperdistal end 310 and a lower distal end 320. Identical to the first handle300, the second handle 400 (illustrated in FIG. 5 c) includes an upperdistal end 410, and a lower distal end 420. As stated previously, eachof the handles 300, 400 is constructed from a soft, grippable, andflexible material such as a thermoplastic elastomer or other similarmaterial.

Referring to FIG. 5 c, a cross section of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5, 5 a, and 5 b is illustrated. Each of the handles 300, 400 isconfigured to be molded onto the container 100, and specifically, intothe receiving regions 114, 116, 124, 126. As illustrated, the upperdistal end 310 of the first handle 300 is molded into the upperreceiving region 114, while the lower distal end 320 of the first handle300 is molded into the lower receiving region 116 of the first side 110of the container. Moreover, the upper distal end 410 of the secondhandle 400 is molded into the upper receiving region 124, while thelower distal end 420 of the second handle 400 is molded into the lowerreceiving region 126 of the second side 120 of the container 100. Thereceiving regions 114, 116, 124, 126, each form a cavity that allows thedistal ends 310, 320, 410, 420 of the handles 300, 400 to be moldedwithin the receiving regions 114, 116, 124, 126. When an infant cup 10is constructed in the manner described for this embodiment, the interiorchamber 160 of the container remains smooth and continuous, similar tothat of the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 2 a, and 3. A smooth interior chamber160 enables better fluid flow of the contents of the infant cup 10 fromthe container 100. A smooth interior chamber 160 also allows for easierand more thorough cleaning. However, the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 5 a, 5b, and 5 c also provides advantages over the embodiment FIGS. 2, 2 a,and 3. By directly molding the distal ends 310, 320, 410, 420 of thehandles 300, 400 into the receiving regions 114, 116, 124, 126, theovermold material 200 and first and second connections 230, 240 of theembodiment of FIGS. 2, 2 a, and 3 are not used to attach the handles300, 400 to the container 100. Therefore, the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 5a, 5 b, and 5 c reduce the number of parts and materials used whencompared with the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 2 a, and 3.

It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,”“lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may beused herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do notlimit the present invention to any particular orientation orconfiguration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describean example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplaryis not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, butrather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of theinvention.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described hereinas embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodimentsmay be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant's cup comprising: a container; and atleast one handle with a first distal end, a second distal end, and agripping portion, the distal ends of the at least one handle are fixedlycoupled onto the container, the handle is repositionable in a firstposition where the gripping portion is oriented away from the containerand a second position where the gripping portion rests against thecontainer.
 2. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 1, wherein the atleast one handle includes a first handle and a second handle, the firsthandle being fixedly coupled to the container on a first side, thesecond handle being fixedly coupled to the container on a second sideopposite the first side.
 3. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 2,wherein the first handle and the second handle are independentlyrepositionable of each other.
 4. The infant's cup as set forth in claim1, wherein the container is constructed from a rigid material.
 5. Theinfant's cup as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one handle isconstructed from a flexible material that allows the at least one handleto deform.
 6. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 1, wherein thecontainer include a top having an opening and a rim with threads.
 7. Theinfant's cup as set forth in claim 6, wherein the rim and threads areconfigured to interact with a lid that is configured to cover theopening of the container.
 8. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 1,wherein the first distal end and second distal end are molded onto thecontainer.
 9. An infant's cup comprising: a container having a top and abottom; a first cover coupled to the bottom of the container; a secondcover coupled to the top of the container; at least one elongated membercoupled to the first cover and the second cover; and at least one handlewith a gripping portion, the handle being coupled to the at least oneelongated member, the handle and elongated member being repositionablein a first position where the gripping portion is oriented away from thecontainer and a second position where the gripping portion rests againstthe container.
 10. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 9, wherein theat least one elongated member includes a first elongated member and asecond elongated member, each of the elongated members are coupled tothe first cover and the second cover.
 11. The infant's cup as set forthin claim 10, wherein at least one handle includes a first handle and asecond handle, the first handle being coupled to the first elongatedmember and the second handle being coupled to the second elongatedmember.
 12. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 11, wherein the firsthandle and the first elongated member are repositionable independentfrom the second handle and the second elongated member.
 13. The infant'scup as set forth in claim 9, wherein the container is constructed from arigid material.
 14. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 9, whereinthe at least one handle is constructed from a flexible material thatallows the at least one handle to deform.
 15. The infant's cup as setforth in claim 9, wherein the first cover, the second cover, and the atleast one elongated member are constructed from a thermoplasticelastomer.
 16. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 9, wherein thefirst cover, and the second cover are molded onto the container.
 17. Aninfant's cup comprising: a container; and at least one handle with afirst distal end, a second distal end, and a gripping portion, a firstprotrusion extending from the first distal end; and a second protrusionextending from the second distal end, wherein the container is moldedaround the first and second protrusions fixedly coupling the firstdistal end and the second distal end of the at least one handle to thecontainer, the handle being repositionable in a first position where thegripping portion is oriented away from the container and a secondposition where the gripping portion rests against the container.
 18. Theinfant's cup as set forth in claim 17, wherein the at least one handleincludes a first handle and a second handle, the first handle beingfixedly coupled to the container on a first side, the second handlebeing fixedly coupled to the container on a second side opposite thefirst side.
 19. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 18, wherein thefirst handle and the second handle are independently repositionable ofeach other.
 20. The infant's cup as set forth in claim 17, wherein theat least one handle is injection molded.